Casing for lamp-sockets and the like.



C. J. KLEIN.

CASING FOR LAMP SOCKETS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION mm AHL8| 1912.

1,267,875. Patented May 2s, 191s.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. KLEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSI GNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. 00., 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

CA'SING FOR LAMesooKETs 11 m) THE LIKE.

Patented May 28, 1918.

Application filed April 8, 1912. Serial No. 689,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that, 1, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Casings for Lamp- Sockets and the like, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing, forminga part of this specification.

My invention relates to incandescent lamp sockets and the like, and more particularly to the non-current-carrying parts of such devices.

It has among its objects to provide a casing for electrical devices wherein a portion of the device contained within the casing coiipcrateswith the parts of the casing to lock the same against relative movement. A further object of my invention is to provide an electric lamp socket or switch casing wherein the switch mechanism may be adjusted toand securely locked in any one of a. plurality of angular positions with respect to the fixed part of its inclosing casing. Other objects and advantages of my improved construction will hereinafter appear.

In order to more clearly and fully disclose my invention, I have illustrated it as applied to a, lamp socket. It is to be understood however that the form shown herein is susceptible of modification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an as sembled lamp socket- F ig. .2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the same. 7

. Fig. 35s a side elevation of the shell.

The 'device contained within the casing is shown herein to be a switch mechanism of the pull chain type. This switch mechanism is inclosed with a base 1 and housed within a lamp shell 2 having a cap 3.

I provide this base with a laterally extending projection 4 which extends through any suitable opening 5 in the side of the shell 2 and cooperates with the parts of the casing to lock the same securely against relative rotation, and at the same time serves to lock the switch mechanism securely in position within the casing.

In order that the cap 3 may cooperate with"this-proj ection and-the shell 2 to lock the parts t getEiH'Tthe-JQWeILEdge .p'f the cap rim 6 is provided with a plurality of cut-away portions 7 which fit over the projection 4 as shown in Fig. 1. In a preferred form these cut-a way portions are in the form of scallops which extend entirely arolind the periphery of the rim 6 so that the device contained within the casing may be adjusted in any one of a large number of different. angular positions. It is obvious, however, that the shape of these cut-away portions may be modified to correspond to the shape of the projecting portion of the device contained within the casing.

In constructions wherein the base is formed in two parts this projection is likewise preferably formed in two parts. It is further to be noted that this projection serves the additional functions of acting as a guide for the operating member and as a means. for insulating the sanie. For instance in the construction shown the projection is provided with a central opening 8 through which the pull chain 9 passes to the switch mechanism.

The shell 2 and cap 3 are secured together by suitable means. In the construction shown, I provide a catch 10 on the shell 2 which is adapted to snap over an annular shoulder 11 on the cap when the pa! ts are brought together, and thus prevent accidental longitudinalseparation of the same.

When it is desired to separate the parts longitudinally they may be readily discon looted by compressing the shell at ;a point bzneath the catch 10 to cause the latter to disengage from the shoulder 11. Thrfbugh the provision of this annular shoulder 11' th shell and cap may obviously be iconnected when in any angular position with respect lie each other. k I

\Vhen it is desired to connect the t\\'( parts of the casing, the shell 2 containir g the switch mechanism may be readily connected to the cap '2- by simpl bringing the; parts together into the position shown in Fig. 1, the catch 10 on the shell antmnatically snapping over the shoulder 11 tm the cap to hold tion of the device contained within the easing which projects through the shell serves not only as a means for locking the parts of the inclosing casing against relative rtation, but at the same time serves to lock the device securely in position within the casing. y I

It is to be noted that my invention is adapted to use, in connection with switch mechanisms of different types and tlipt it may be readily used with key or push button operated sdritch mechanisms if desired, or in any relation wherein a'portion of the device contained within the casing projects therefrom. Further if desired the cap and shell may be of different construction from that shown and ma be attached to each other by other suit-a e means.

While in this applic'ation'I have specifically described one form of my invention thisconstruction shown herein may be modilied without departing from its spirit and I accordingly do not restrict myself to the precise construction shown for purposes of illustration.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is asfollo s:-

1. In combination, a cap, a shell, snap means for releasably locking the same ag'ainst longitudinal separation, and a base housed in said shell and having a portion engaging the latter for supporting said base therein and also engaging said cap and shell for lockingthe same against relative rotation.

2. In combination, a'cap, a shell telescoping therewith, said cap and shell having means for locleiiig the same against separation in any one of a plurality of rotary relations, and an inrulating base housed within said cap and-shell and having an integral part engaging both of th same when tele- Scoped in any of a plurality of rotary relations to lock the same against relative ro- Bation.

3. In combination, a cap, a shell telescopling therewith, one of said parts having a plurality of cireumlerentlal shoulders and the other having shoulders spaced therefrom, 5i) and u devlte containcd in said shell and having afport'ion engaging a shoulder thereof and a slioulden of said cap for locking the same against relative rotation in any telescoped rotary relation.

4. In rolnbilnrtion, a cap, a shell, a swdoh suppontrug device housed therein and locking Hrdl cap and shell against relative rotary movement, and independently operative means to releasably lock said cap and shell against separation.

5. In combination, a cap, a shell, :1 device removably housed therein and locking said cap and shell against relative rotary movement in any one of a plurality of rotary positions, and independently operative means to releasably lock said cap and shell against separation.

6. Incombination, a cap having a serrated margin,'a shell telescopically engaged therewith and a radial projection carried by said shell engaging the sides of one of the serrations of said cap to lock said cap and shell against relative rotation.

7. In combination, a cap and shell adapted to telescopically unite, said cap having a plurality of notches about its lower edge, and a radial projection carried by said shell adapted to enter any one of said notches to lock said cap and shell against relative rotation.

8. In combination, a cap and shell adapted to telescopicallv unite, said cap having a plurality of notches about its lower edge, and a cooperating projection extending out- \vardly from the wall of said shell to lock said cap and shell against relative rotation, said notches being-peaked whereby said projet en will be guided thereby into locking position when the parts are united.

9. In combination, a shell, a cap having a. scalloped lower rim fitting over the upper end of said shell, a base housed in said shell and having a portion protrudin therefrom, said portion being received in t scalloped rimof said cap to lock the shell and on against relative rotation and means to ice the same against axial separation.

10. In combination, a shell, a cap therefor having a scalloped rim, a switch mechanism housed in said shell, a base having a guiding member for a portion of the switch mechanism protruding from the shell and receiver] in the scalloped rim of said cap to lock sa d base in position in said shell and to lock saidcap and shell against relative rotation and means to lock the same againstaxial separation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two wilnesses. CHARLES .l. KLEIN.

Witnesses II. L. Rocuwunn, FRANK ll. Hermann. 

